In South Korea, deepfake porn is wreaking havoc on the lives of countless individuals, with devastating consequences for its victims. This cutting-edge technology allows malicious actors to manipulate images and videos, creating fake explicit content that feels alarmingly real. For many, the nightmare begins when they learn their faces have been digitally superimposed onto pornographic material without their consent.

Ruma, a university student, experienced this harrowing invasion of privacy in 2021. While enjoying lunch one summer day, she opened her phone to find it flooded with messages. What she saw shocked her to the core: photos of her face, taken from her social media accounts, had been edited onto naked bodies and shared in a Telegram chat room. The comments accompanying these images were deeply demeaning, taunting her with insults. The harassment didn’t stop there. The anonymous sender threatened to distribute the images more widely and boasted that the police would never catch them. For Ruma, it felt like her world had been turned upside down.

Sadly, Ruma’s experience is far from unique. In a society where digital sex crimes have already plagued South Korea—ranging from hidden cameras in public places to blackmail in online chat rooms—the rise of deepfake pornography presents a new and terrifying threat. The crisis is particularly severe in schools, where over 900 students, teachers, and staff reported being victims of deepfake sex crimes in 2022 alone. These figures don’t even account for university students, who have also been affected by this growing menace.

To combat this crisis, South Korea’s government has taken action. In response to the widespread issue, an emergency task force was created, and new legislation was passed in September 2022. The law now mandates severe penalties for those who create or distribute non-consensual deepfake pornography—up to seven years in prison for offenders. Possessing or viewing such material can lead to up to three years behind bars, or a fine of up to 30 million won (roughly $20,000). Despite these legal advancements, the reality is grim. In 2022, police only arrested 23 people out of the 964 deepfake-related sex crime cases reported. Many victims, including Ruma, have had to take matters into their own hands.

Ruma, who was just 27 years old when her ordeal began, said the incident completely shattered her trust in the world. “It broke my whole belief system about the world,” she explained. “The fact that they could use such vulgar, rough images to humiliate and violate you to that extreme extent really damages you almost irrevocably.”

Despite being told by police that they would struggle to get the necessary data from Telegram, she decided to take action. After hearing that other investigations had stalled due to difficulties in identifying suspects, she sought the help of activist Won Eun-ji. Known for her role in exposing South Korea’s largest digital sex crime network on Telegram, Won stepped in to help. Using a fake Telegram account, she infiltrated the chat room where the deepfake images of Ruma circulated. For nearly two years, Won gathered evidence, carefully engaging with users before coordinating with police for a sting operation.

The operation ultimately led to the arrest of two former students from Seoul National University (SNU). One of them was sentenced to nine years in prison for creating and distributing the deepfake material, while the other received a 3.5-year sentence. However, Ruma’s fight is far from over. “I didn’t expect the ruling to align exactly with the prosecution’s request,” she said. “I’m happy, but this is only the first trial. I don’t feel entirely relieved yet.”

Ruma’s case sheds light on the far-reaching and devastating impact of digital sex crimes. In many instances, the police have been slow to act, leaving victims to fend for themselves.

One high school teacher, identified only as Kim for her privacy, shared her own distressing experience. In July 2023, she learned from a student that explicit, digitally altered photos of her were circulating online. These images, which manipulated her appearance and added her face to nude bodies, were a cruel violation of her privacy. “My hands started to shake,” Kim recalled. “When could this photo have been taken, and who would upload such a thing?”

The police’s response to Kim was no more reassuring. They explained that identifying the perpetrator could only be done by requesting user information from Twitter (now rebranded as X). With concerns about the process taking too long, Kim and a colleague, also a victim of secret filming, launched their own investigation. Eventually, they discovered that the culprit was a quiet, introverted student—someone they never would have suspected.

Kim’s case highlights the lack of empathy often shown by the public toward victims of deepfake pornography. “I read a lot of articles and comments about deepfakes saying, ‘Why is it a serious crime when it’s not even your real body?’” she lamented. The societal apathy surrounding digital sex crimes only makes it easier for perpetrators to exploit their victims, often with little fear of consequence.

Activists like Won argue that South Korea’s long-standing failure to enforce laws against digital exploitation has fueled the growth of a toxic online environment. The rise of “acquaintance humiliation”—where perpetrators share manipulated photos and personal information of women they know—has left many victims living in constant fear for their safety.

The responsibility also lies with online platforms, which continue to be hotspots for illegal activities. Telegram, in particular, has been criticized for its failure to moderate content and share user data with authorities. While the company announced plans to crack down on illegal content and has begun cooperating with South Korean authorities, there are still significant concerns. In January 2023, police in Seoul successfully obtained data from Telegram, leading to the arrest of 14 people involved in a major deepfake pornography ring. While this marks a small victory, many victims feel that the fight is far from over.

For victims like Ruma and Kim, the fight against digital sex crimes is far from over. They continue to push for stricter punishments for perpetrators and more support for victims. “No matter how much punishments are strengthened, there are still far more victims who suffer because their perpetrators have not been caught,” Ruma said. “There’s a long way to go.”

As the South Korean government and activists work to address this growing crisis, the battle against deepfake pornography will require ongoing vigilance, stricter enforcement, and a societal shift to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve.

Source: CNN – Deepfake porn is destroying real lives in South Korea

The post How Deepfake Porn is Destroying Lives in South Korea appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Britain’s security officials have demanded that Apple create a so-called “back door” to access the encrypted data stored on users‘ iCloud accounts worldwide, according to a report by The Washington Post on Friday. The request would allow the UK government to retrieve all content uploaded by Apple users to the cloud.

Apple’s Response and Potential Consequences

In response, Apple is reportedly considering halting its encrypted storage services in the UK, rather than compromising its security promises to users, the report suggests. The UK’s Home Secretary’s office issued a “technical capability notice” to Apple, officially ordering the company to comply with the request.

Government and Apple Reactions

Apple did not provide a comment outside of regular business hours when approached by Reuters. Additionally, the UK’s interior ministry has yet to respond to the Washington Post’s report.

Background on the Investigation

This move follows Britain’s earlier actions in January, when the government used its regulatory powers to launch an investigation into Apple and Google. The probe focuses on smartphone operating systems, app stores, and browsers, raising concerns about the influence of major tech companies in the UK market.

Source

The post UK Demands Apple Open Encrypted iCloud Accounts, Report Says appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Prince Harry’s lengthy legal battle with Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group reached an unexpected conclusion on Wednesday, with the Duke of Sussex settling his case just before his trial was set to begin. The lawsuit, filed against News Group Newspapers (NGN) – the publisher behind The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World – accused the tabloids of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and surveillance, between 1996 and 2011.

At a London High Court hearing, David Sherborne, Prince Harry’s barrister, announced that NGN had issued a “full and unequivocal apology” to the duke. The apology acknowledged the serious intrusion into Prince Harry’s private life during the aforementioned years and the unlawful activities conducted by private investigators hired by The Sun. NGN also apologized for the phone hacking, surveillance, and misuse of private information carried out by the journalists and private investigators at News of the World, another publication under the NGN umbrella.

Sherborne read the full apology on behalf of NGN, which also expressed regret for the impact the coverage had on Prince Harry’s life and relationships, as well as on his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. “We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships, and family,” Sherborne said. NGN further agreed to pay Prince Harry substantial damages as part of the settlement. They also acknowledged that their response to the 2006 arrests related to phone hacking was regrettable, though without admitting any illegality.

Alongside Prince Harry, former Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson, who had also filed a claim, settled his own case. Watson, who was targeted between 2009 and 2011, alleged unlawful information gathering and phone hacking during his investigation into the Murdoch newspapers. His investigation played a key role in the 2011 phone hacking scandal, which led to the closure of News of the World and Murdoch’s public apology for the scandal.

Sherborne confirmed that NGN also apologized to Watson for the “unwarranted intrusion” into his private life during his time in government, specifically during the 2009-2011 period.

The legal proceedings at the London High Court were initially scheduled to start on Tuesday, but were delayed multiple times after requests from both sides’ legal teams.

This surprising settlement brings an end to a chapter of legal actions and media scrutiny for the Duke of Sussex, who has long been outspoken about the media’s treatment of him and his family.

Source

The post Prince Harry Reaches Settlement with News Group Newspapers in Legal Battle appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The U.S. Supreme Court expressed openness on Wednesday to a Texas law that seeks to block children and teenagers from accessing online pornography. However, the justices indicated they may send the case back to a lower court for further consideration of the law’s impact on adults’ free speech rights.

Texas is one of over a dozen states with laws designed to restrict young people’s access to online pornography. These laws stem from concerns about the ease with which children can access explicit material online, particularly through smartphones. The states argue these laws are essential in the face of the growing prevalence and availability of hardcore pornography on the internet.

Concerns Over Technology and Free Speech

Chief Justice John Roberts, part of the court’s conservative majority, acknowledged the rapid expansion of online pornography. “Technological access to pornography has exploded, right?” Roberts said during the hearing.

However, the Free Speech Coalition, a trade group representing the adult entertainment industry, argues that the Texas law unfairly impacts adults. The law requires individuals to submit personal identifying information to access adult content online, raising concerns over privacy, potential data breaches, and the risk of online tracking. Pornhub, a major adult website, has already ceased operations in several states due to difficulties in complying with such laws.

While the Free Speech Coalition agrees that children should be protected from explicit material, it contends that the Texas law is overly broad. The law’s vague language could also affect legitimate content, such as sexual education resources or depictions of simulated sex in movies. Additionally, the law primarily targets adult websites, leaving search engines—frequently used to find pornography—untouched. The group advocates for content filtering over age-verification requirements.

Content Filtering Challenges

Justice Amy Coney Barrett appeared skeptical of the law’s practicality, pointing out the numerous ways children can access the internet. As a mother of seven, Barrett said, “Content filtering for all those different devices, I can say from personal experience, is difficult to keep up with.”

Historical Precedent and Free-Speech Concerns

This is not the first time the Supreme Court has addressed the issue of online pornography. In 1996, the court struck down parts of a law banning explicit material accessible to children online. In 2004, the court upheld less restrictive measures, like content filtering, but rejected more extreme laws aimed at curbing children’s access to pornography.

Texas argues that technology has significantly improved since then. The state claims that online platforms can now use simple tools, like verifying a user’s age through a quick photo, much like checking ID at a store. Texas believes this new technology makes age verification no more invasive than traditional methods used for decades.

Legal and Constitutional Questions

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently sided with Texas, ruling that the law could go into effect despite earlier challenges. However, some justices expressed concerns that the lower court had not applied a strict enough legal standard regarding the law’s impact on First Amendment rights.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson questioned how far the state could go in requiring adults to prove their age, asking, “How far can a state go in terms of burdening adults showing how old they are?”

Justice Elena Kagan raised concerns about potential unintended consequences for other laws involving free speech, regardless of how the court rules on this case.

A Potential Compromise

Some justices seemed interested in the position of the Biden administration, which has suggested sending the case back to the 5th Circuit for further deliberation. The administration proposed that, if carefully written, such laws could pass a higher legal standard. The goal of protecting children from pornography is widely supported, but it must be balanced against the constitutional rights of adults.

Other states with similar laws include Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia.

The Texas law imposes fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with penalties increasing to as much as $250,000 if the violation involves a minor.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on the case by June.

Source

The post Texas Law Aims to Protect Kids from Porn, Raises Free-Speech Concerns appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Career-networking giant LinkedIn has pushed back against proposed Australian legislation aimed at banning social media access for children under 16, arguing that its platform is simply too unappealing to minors to be included in the ban.

“LinkedIn simply does not have content interesting and appealing to minors,” the Microsoft-owned company stated in a submission to the Australian Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

Australia’s Push for a Social Media Ban

The Australian government has proposed “world-leading” legislation to restrict children’s access to social media, citing concerns over online harm. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the measures are designed to address the worries of parents about their children’s online safety.

While other tech giants like Meta, Google, Snapchat, and TikTok have raised objections, LinkedIn took a different stance, asserting that its professional focus and minimum age requirement of 16 make it irrelevant to younger audiences. The company added that it actively removes accounts belonging to underage users when identified.

Industry Concerns and Criticism

Other social media platforms have voiced significant concerns about the proposed legislation:

• Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) argued the bill would fail to ease the burden on parents and claimed it disregards expert advice from child safety and mental health professionals.
• TikTok Australia criticized the legislation’s rushed timeline, warning it could lead to unintended consequences.
• Google, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) raised legal and practical issues, including the bill’s reliance on age verification technologies still under trial.

Privacy and Consultation Issues

Privacy advocates and human rights experts have also criticized the bill for its hasty development and potential privacy implications. Carly Kind, Australia’s privacy commissioner, and Lorraine Findlay, human rights commissioner, have both called for more comprehensive consultation and scrutiny before the legislation is enacted.

LinkedIn’s Case for Exemption

LinkedIn argued that regulating its platform under the new law would impose unnecessary costs and barriers for its users in Australia. By avoiding inclusion in the legislation, the platform could also sidestep the need for additional age verification processes.

International Interest

Australia’s approach has garnered attention worldwide. In the UK, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned similar legislation as a possibility, while France has already implemented a law requiring parental consent for children under 15 to access social media. However, research suggests nearly half of French minors have bypassed the restrictions using VPNs.

What’s Next?

The Australian government plans to pass the legislation before the end of the parliamentary year. However, experts warn the current timeframe and lack of consultation could hinder its effectiveness.

As the debate continues, LinkedIn’s professional focus and limited appeal to younger audiences may ultimately exempt it from these sweeping changes.

Source

The post Why LinkedIn Says It’s Too Boring for a Social Media Ban on Minors appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.